Desolation Wilderness & Truckin’ to Truckee – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [28]
Previous Post:
Part 27 ‘South Lake Tahoe, Dicks Pass & Frozen Lakes’
Day 88 (25/06) – Entering Desolation Wilderness Area
My alarm sounded, but not my brain. ‘Coffee, oats… I’m doing well… yesss… you’re doing good… I’m getting up…’ zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…
We actually woke up an hour later and started off hiking. Our first obstacle was Phipps Creek which was deep and strongly flowing. We ended up finding several logs downstream to cross, and then bush bashed back to the trail through thick undergrowth. I got the right arm of my shirt snagged on a tree, and it tore into tatters, ‘just typical!’ I think to myself, remembering my trail name. It was also around this point we entered into Desolation Wilderness forest.
At a more difficult river crossing, Moonshine and I decided to throw in logs from a fallen tree to try to make a bridge across. It didn’t work overly well stability-wise, but Moonshine took the risk and ran across them. I took the more cautious approach and found an easy spot to wade through, knee-high. I wasn’t ready for an ankle or knee injury just yet!
After numerous uphill slogs, we arrived at Barker Pass, and decided it was enough for the day – I certainly was tired. We camped at the trailhead by the small road nearby, which was mostly snow-covered. I chose a spot on a picnic bench that was squished into the ground from previously holding a lot of snow.
Distance hiked: 15.5 miles (24.94 km)
Total PCT hiked: 1125 miles (1,810 km)
Day 89 (26/06) – ‘Booms’ Near Mt Lincoln and Squaw Valley
We got up on time this morning. My picnic table bed was comfortable and kept me dry… No rodents ate my food… No bears ate me… A good start to the day!
Once we hiked up the ridge, the path was mostly clear, and flowers were blooming by the trail… along with ‘lettuce’.
As we passed by Mount Lincoln, and heard strange ‘boom‘ noises that sounded like snow avalanches – except, there were at least five! It was quite loud, but after not being able to work out what it was, we didn’t think much about it for long. (note: I later learned these were in fact the last of twenty-five, 2 to 4-magnitude earthquakes with an epicentre in Truckee, not far from where we were! I was in an earthquake – how exciting!)
We found a dry spot perched high at the top of Squaw Valley ski lifts, and decided to camp there. I climbed into the control tower and fooled around with all the controls (as boys do), and then pretended to ride the chair lift – it was fun!
Shortly after, a… hot… trail runner approached and asked to take her photo as she ran up Granite Chief Mountain. She was crazy! Moonshine said he’d tell her how hot she was when she came back down, but he missed his opportunity as she ran past without him seeing.
Distance hiked: 15 miles (24.14 km)
Total PCT hiked: 1140 miles (1,834.65 km)
Day 90 (27/06) – Tinkering Knobs
We had set off just before sunrise. The first obstacle was tackling a steep descent and side-ridge walk around a heavily snowed area to the left of the ski lifts. The end was rewarding when we got a good sunrise looking to the west at Lake Tahoe.
The trail skirted around a mountain whose names amused us for some time when discussing the topo map – Tinker Knob. The names of places in this whole area are comedic sometimes! I was tempted to summit the knob, but we decided to push on.
After several more snow ridges and descents, we finally made it to Donner Pass. We went to the ski resort restaurant and had a final meal before departing ways. I would have hiked with Moonshine for longer, but it was that I needed to visit Rex in Washington State for the 4th of July celebrations.
When back at the trailhead, I met a super nice lady – Karen, who lived in Truckee. She had offered me a ride and a place to stay for me. Hooray! I said my farewells to Moonshine and headed off into town.
Karen lived in a newly renovated mobile home just outside of town, and decided to have a BBQ and drinks around a fire. It was awesome, and she really went out of her way with generosity. In the end, she had five friends over plus myself. We had burgers and grilled vegetables for dinner, along with copious amounts of beer! What a great way to freshly come off trail! I love this life of continuously just meeting amazing people.
Distance hiked: 10 miles (16.09 km)
Total PCT hiked: 1153 miles (1,855.57 km)
Next Post:
Part 29 ‘A Week Off-trail for 4th July with Rex!’
In order to support the travelling and hiking community, I spend many hours per week or month to adequately document all information and advice for prospective visitors, accompanied by a (hopefully) entertaining insight into my personal experiences. This service is and will remain free. However, if you voluntarily want to make a contribution and support my travels and thus the creation of new stories and hiking information, here is the button you’re looking for:
Thank you for reading 🙂